Shutter construction



Aug- 7, 1934- w. woRNlcK SHUTTER CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. l1, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet l gl w undo@ @coc/mp@ Aug. 7, 1934. w. woRNlcK 1,969,287

SHUTTER CONSTRUCTION med oct. 11, 1953 5 sheets-sheet 2 Javento@ not ne 11 ug- 7, 1934- w. woRNlcK SHUTTER CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. l1, 1935 Aug. 7, 1934. w. woRNlcK SHUTTER CONSTRUCTION Filed 0G12. 1l, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 woenkoz Ecl Q wac @2m/mb@ Hq O Aug. 7, 1934. w, woRNlCK 1,969,287

SHUTTER CONSTRUCT I ON Filed OCL. ll, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented- Aug. 7, 1934 snumn coNsraUc'noN wagte: wmxck. permit. men. Application october 11, 1933, semi No. 593.099 s claims. (ci. 15s-rn My invention relates to a blind or shutter construction for eecting a closure over an opening or point of entry formed in a building wall. 'Ihe invention particularly relates to a shutter construction for a window or door which by reason of its elements of closure and the movement thereof from open to closed positions presents a pleasing and unusual appearance and effectively varies the light or air transmitted to within the room through the particular aperture according 'to the degree desired by the occupant.

My invention has for an object to provide a shutter construction of a stiiened sheet material,

the parts of which are so formed as to convey the visual effect of a draped curtain or the like when applied to an aperture, such as a window, and which may be subjected to cleaning or coloring without removal from an installed position. Another object of my invention is to provide a shutter construction which forms an effective and decorative framing of the window and at the same time may be operated to form an effective baille to the entrance of light and air through the win- '25 dow. Another object of my invention is to provide a shutter construction which may be closed from what may be described as a wide open position giving maximum visibility, through for example the window, to any desired position of partial closure between maximum open and maximum closure, the line of initial closing `action slowly progressing from the sides and upper portions of the opening toward the center, and sequentially progressing rapidly across the lower reaches toward the upper reaches of the window. Thus, the shutter construction provides a closure of a pleasing appearance from within and without the building and operates to effect closure to any varying extent required, its sequential closing movements cutting off the lower portion of the window through which the light or draft o1'` a more objectionable characteristic passes and leaving open to a greater degree the upper reaches of the window. The shutter construction thereby enables carrying out the general modern practice of indirect lighting which by reason of my invention may now be applied to sunlight and is in line with the trend of modern house furnishings.

My invention has for a particular object to provide a shutter construction having a closure element comprised of a plurality of interrelated leaf members adapted to be moved when in open position from a substantially stacked overlapping position to a fan or staggered overlapping position in closure. Another particular objectof my invention is to provide a shutter construction having a closure element comprised of a plurality of pivotally supported leal.- members together with means for moving the leaf members about their pivots from an open to closed position. A further particular object of my invention is to provide a shutter construction of unique and pleasing appearance and durable nature which may be manufactured and installed at a compartively low cost.

The invention consists in other features and advantages which will appear from the'following description and upon examination of the drawings. Structures containing the invention may partake of different forms and still embody the invention. To illustrate a practical application of the invention, I have selected a shutter construction as an example of the various structures and details thereof that contain the invention and shall describe the selected shutter construction hereinafter, it being understood that variations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The particular shutter construction selected is shown in the accompanying drawings and described hereinafter.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrate a perspective view-of the shutter construction chosen for purposes of illustration as installed on the inner side of a conventional Window. Fig. 2 illustrates a view of the shutter construction shown in Fig. 1 when in substantially a maximum closed position. Fig. 3 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 3-3 indicated in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 illustrates an enlarged view of the preferred means for moving the parts of the shutter from an open to closed position. Fig. 5 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 5-5 indicated on Fig. 4. Fig. 6 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 6--6 indicated in Fig. i

5. Fig. 'I illustrates one of the modified means formoving the leaf members. Fig. 8 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 8-8 indicated in Fig. '7. Fig. 9 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 9-9 indicated in Fig. '1. Fig. 10 illustrates a side elevation view of one of the driving racks of the driving means shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 11 illustrates a second modified driving means for the leaf members of the shutter construction. Fig. 12 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 12--12 indicated in Fig. 11. Fig. 13 illustrates a view of a section taken along the plane of the line 13-13 indicated in Fig. 12.

My invention may be embodied in a shutter construction having a pair of closure units. 4 Each closure unit comprises a plurality of leaf members pivotally supported at a common point relative to a frame or sash surrounding an opening, such as a window, in a building.

The leaf member parts of each closure unit are connected to a means operable by a convenient manual operable element to move the leaf members about their pivots through a cycle of opening and closing movements as desired.

In the form of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, the shutter construction has a pair of closure units 1 and 2, the closure 1 adapted to be located on one side of the opening and the closure 2 on the other side of the opening. The closure unit 1 is composed of a plurality of leaf members 3, and the unit 2 is composed of a plurality of leaf members 4. The leaf members 3 and 4 are each substantially L-shape having a leg portion 5 and. a relatively shorter leg portion 6. The leg portion 5 of each leaf member is adapted to extend substantially vertically and parallel to a window 7 on which the shutter construction may be installed. The leg portion 5 of the leaf members 3 and 4 together form, when the shutter construction is closed, the major portion of the closure. Preferably, the leg portions 6 are of various lengths so that when arranged in an installed position the leg portions 5 depend from different points along the window 7 and are located in contiguous over-lapping relation. The leg potion 6 of each leaf member 3 and 4 is pivotally supported Within a housing 8. Thus, the leaf members 3 and 4 may be swung from opposite side edges of the window 7 to any desired angle relative to the uprights 9 of the frame of the Window, and, as shown in Fig. 2, form a closure thereof, or, as shown in Fig. 1, be open for maximum visibility presenting a draped effect of the conventional curtain.

The housing 8 is formed preferably of sheet metal and is supported on the upper cross-piece 10 of the frame of the window 7, preferably midway between the uprights 9. A frame 11 is located within the housing 8 for supporting the leaf members and the driving means therefor. The frame 11 has a drum portion which extends through an opening 13 formed proximate to the end of the leg portion 5 of each leaf member 3 and 4. Thus, each leaf member 3 and 4 may be rotated about the drum 12 to varying positions as described.

The leaf members 3 are arranged with respect to the leaf member 4 on the drum 12 so as to alternate therewith. Consequently, one leaf member 4 is located contiguous to a leaf member 3 and the next thereto along the axis of the drum l2 is located another leaf member 4 and so on until the leaf members of both closure units 1 and 2 are hung on the drum 12. By the above described arrangement, eiciency of space and reduction of driving parts are obtained as well as the desired overlapping of leaf members when in closed position.

In order to rotate each of the leaf members 3 about the drum 12, the leg portion 6 of each leaf member 3 has a sector portion 15, the teeth 16 of which are engaged by a driven pinion 17. The pinion 17 is keyed to a shaft 18 journaled in the frame 11 and caused to rotate by the rotation of a pinion 19. Each leaf member 3 being thus connected to a pinion 19, the movement of all leaf members will be sympathetic to the angular movement of the pinion 19 within the later herein described limitations. The pinion 19 is connected through idlers 20 and 21 with a driving pinion 22. The driving pinion 22 rotatably supported Aon a journal 25 formed on the frame 11 and is connected by the bearing sleeve 26 to the gear 27. The gear 27 meshes with a pinion 28 rotatably supported on the stub shaft 29. The pinion 28 is sweated to a gear 3l which is adapted to mesh with a pinion 32 rotatably supported on the journal 25. The pinion 32 is connected to a. driving sprocket 33, as by the bearing sleeve 34. The sprocket 33 is adapted to be rotated by means of a pull chain 36 the links of which engage the teeth 37 of the sprocket. Thus, upon pulling one end of the chain 36, the leaf members 3 will be moved in one direction, and, upon pulling the other end, the leaf members 3 will be moved in opposite direction on the friction of the gear train described serving to hold the leaf members in any desired position upon the removal of a pulling force on the chain.

In order to rotate each of the leaf members 4 about the drum 12, the leg portion 6 of each of the leaf members 4 has a sector portion 38, the teeth 39 of which are engaged by a driven pinion 40. The pinion 40 is keyed to a shaft 41 which is journaled in the frame 11 and caused to rotate upon the rotation of the pinion 43. Each leaf member 4 being thus connected to the pinion 43, the movement of all leaf members 4 will be dependent and sympathetic with the angular movement of the pinion 43. The pinion 43 is driven by a gear 45 rotatably mounted on the stub shaft 29 and separated from the pinion 28 by means of a spacer bushing 44. The gear 45 meshes with the driving pinion 22 which is caused to rotate by the movement of the sprocket 33, as above described.

Preferably, the leg portion 5 of theA leaf members 3 and 4 are each pf a gradual increasing length in progressively adjacent leaf members to present a pleasing appearance and to obtain maximum visibility when in an open position. The leaf members having the longer leg portions 5 are accordingly moved through an arc of lesser angle than those of the shorter leg portion 5. At the same time, the leaf members are maintained in overlapped relation With each other to effect closure and are accordingly moved in sympathy with each other by their respective pinions. Consequently, the sector portions 15 and 38 of each of the leaf members 3 and 4 and their respective pinions 17 and 4o are provided with intermeshing teeth sufiicient to cause each leaf member to describe only the required arc to effect maximum closure and opening even though the respective shafts 18 and 41 be further rotated to move other of the leaf members to completion of their respective required arcs. Dwell portions are provided in the respective sector portions at the desired limiting po'mts to permit further movements of the pinions 17 and 40. The relation and arrangement of the dwell portion on each individual sector and pinion is ascertained according to the arc described by the individual leg portion of each leaf member.

A modified driving means is shown in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive and it employs a gear rack combination to move the leaf members. 'Ihe leaf members 3 are pivotally supported on a drum 55 and the leaf members 4 are pivotally supported on a second drum 56. The leaf members 3 are located on the drum so as to be in staggered relation to the leaf members 4 located on the drum 56, as shown in Fig. 9, to permit overlapping of the leg portions 6 of the leaf members 3 and 4, when located in a closed position.

The sector portions 15 of each leaf member 3 is adapted to be engaged by the teeth 68 of a reciprocable double-faced rack member 57. The rack member 57 is caused to reciprocate by the rotation of a pinion 59 keyed to a shaft 60. The shaft 60 is journaled in the frame 11 and is rotated by a driven pinion 61. The pinion 61 is connected through a gear 62 to a gear 64, supported on a stub shaft 65. The gear 64 is driven by a pinion 66 keyed to a shaft 67 on which also is keyed a sprocket 70. The sprocket 70 may be operated by the chain 36, and, thus, move the leaf members 3.

The sector portions 38 of the leaf members 4 are engaged by the teeth 68 of the rack member 57 on the opposite side thereof from that of engagement with the sectors 15. Consequently, the leaf members 4 are also operated upon operation of the sprocket '10.

As in the preferred construction, limited angular movement of different leaf members is desirable and accordingly limiting cooperative dwell portions 71 are provided on individual sets of pinions 59 and rack 57 as desired. The dwell portions 71 permit continued movement of the pinion without further movement of the rack 57 or the particular associated leaf member.

A further modified form of the means for driving the leaf members from an open to closed position and return is shown in Figs. 11 to 13. The means employed is that of a driven cam and cooperating cam surfaces formed on the leaf members. The leaf members 3 and 4 are arranged in alternate sequence, as in the preferred construction, on a drum 75. -The leaf members 3 each have cut-out cam surfaces 76 which have shoulder portions 77 and 78. A cam member 8O is located within the cut-out portions of each leaf member. The cam member has a pair of noses 81 which are adapted to contact at two points on the cam surface 76, and thereby prevent vibration of the associated leaf member. The cam member is keyed to shaft 85 which is journaled in the frame 11 and is adapted to be angularly moved by a pinion 86, thus moving the cam member 80. The pinion 86 is connected through an idler 87 to a pinion 88. 'Ihe pinion 88 is sweated to a gear 90 supported on a stub shaft 91. The gear 90 meshes with a gear 92 connected to a sprocket 93 mounted on a journal 94. 'I'he sprocket 93 may be operated by the chain 36 as before.

Each leaf member 4 has a similar cam surface 76 as described above in which cam members 95 operate.- The cam members 95 are keyed to a journal 97 which is moved angularly upon the movement of a pinion 99. The pinion 99 meshes with the pinion 88 and is caused to move by the sprocket 93, through the described chain of gears intermediate the sprocket 93 and the pinion 88.

In order to provide for varying angular movement of different leaf members, the cam surfaces 76 may have dwell portions 101, as illustrated in one of the leaf members in Fig. 13. During the movement of the cam member 80 or 95 over the surfaces 101 there will be no movement of the associated leaf member though other of the leaf members will be moved by their respective cam members.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes, I have illustrated and described the best forms of my invention now known to me, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many changes may be made in the shutter construction and its modifications disclosed herein,

such as the provision of a planetary gear system for operating the leaf members, without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a shutter construction, a closure unit comprising a plurality of extending leaf members rotatably supported at the ends thereof on a common axis, the other'ends Aof the leaf members being free for angular movement and means for rotating each o f the said plurality of leaf members while constantly maintaining the said plurality of leaf members in a definite predetermined overlapping relation to each other.

2. In a shutter construction, a closure unit comprising a plurality of vertically disposed leaf members rotatably supported in substantial stacked relation on a common axis, and `means for rotating said leaf members from said stacked position to a staggered overlapping position.

3. In a shutter construction, a closure unit comprising a plurality of leaf members having extending leg portions, the said plurality of leaf members rotatably supported in' coaxial `sequence on a common axis, and means actuated from a common source for rotating each of said plurality of leaf ,members through an arc different from that through which the others of the said' plurality'of leaf members are rotated to maintain the leaf members in constant overlapping relation.

4. In a shutter construction, a closure unit comprising a plurality of L-shaped leaf members having extending leg portions of said plurality of leaf members rotatably supported on a common axis, and means actuated from a single source for rotating the said plurality of leaf members about the axis while maintaining the leg portions in staggered overlapping relation.

5. In a shutter construction, a pair of closureI units, each closure unit comprising a plurality of leaf members rotatably supported at the ends thereof .on a common axis, the other ends of the leaf members being free for angular movement and means actuated by a single applied force for rotating the said plurality of leaf members of each closure unit while maintaining said leaf members of each closure unit in a definite predetermined overlapping relation. I 6. In a shutter construction for an opening, a pair of closure units, one of the said pair of closure units located on either side of the opening, each closure unit comprising a plurality of L- shaped leaf members, one end of each leaf member rotatably supported on a common axis, the other end of said leaf member extending parallel to the plane of the opening, and manually actuatedmeans for rotating the leaf members to locate the second named ends thereof in overlapping relation to each other and across the open- 111g.

7. In a shutter construction for an opening, a pair of closure units, one of said pair of closure units located on one side of the opening and the other of said pair of closure units located on the other side of the opening, each closure unit comprising a plurality of leaf members rotatably mounted on a common axis, each leaf member of the first named closure unit being located on its particular axis in offset relation to the location of each leaf member of the second named closure' unit on its particular axis, and means for rotating the leaf members of the first named closure unit into overlapping relation with the leaf members of the second named closure unit while mainlli) taining the leaf members of each closure unit ln constant overlapping relation to each other to effectively cover the opening.

8. In a shutter construction for an opening, a pair of closure units, each closure unit comprising a plurality of leaf members, each leaf member having a leg portion, the leg portions of the leaf 

